2
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
Photo courtsey of The Advertiser (Sarah Reed, photographer).
Structure
Introduction
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APPENDIX 1 – MASTER PLAN
27
PART A – MANAGEMENT STATEMENTS, PRINCIPLES AND DIRECTIONS
5
APPENDIX 2 – CULTURAL LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT
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1.0
Statement of Significance
6
Report
2.0
Victoria Park in 2008
6
• Figure 1 – Existing features map for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
7
» 2.1
» 2.2
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Motor Sport in Victoria Park – infrastructure, access and occupation
Relevant recent changes
3.0
Vision and Guiding Principles for Managing Victoria Park
4.0
Management Directions for Victoria Park
» 4.1 Landscape Character – general
» 4.2 Landscape Character – plantings
» 4.3 Built Form
» 4.4 Heritage
» 4.5 Biodiversity
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• Figure 2 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Buildings for retention
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»
»
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4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
Events
Other uses/facilities
Access/Paths
Car Parking
Dog Off-Leash Area
Lighting
5.0
Master Plan Overview
15
6.0
Implementation
16
PART B – BACKGROUND
17
7.0
Overview of Historical Changes to the Park
18
• Figure 3 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Early representation of Race Course
• Figure 4 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Comparison of historic and current aerial maps
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8.0
9.0
Tenure and Management Framework
20
• Table 1 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Tenure and Management Framework
20
Details of Park Boundary
21
• Figure 5 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Boundary detail, upper eastern
• Figure 6 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Boundary detail, eastern
• Figure 7 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Boundary detail, southern
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10.0 Legislative Requirements for Management Plans
22
11.0 Relevant Council Policies
23
12.0 Adelaide (City) Development Plan – Relevant Excerpts
23
13.0 Topography, Water and Soils
25
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• Figure 8 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – ‘Plan Showing Improved Pavements’ from 1927
• Figure 9 – ‘Mount Lofty from The Terrace, Adelaide‘ – watercolour by Martha Berkeley
from 1840
• Figure 10 – ‘Racecourse, Adelaide’ – watercolour by John Michael Skipper, from 1840
• Table 2 – Number of olive trees bearing fruit in the Town Corporation ground, from 1886
• Figure 11 – ‘St John’s in the Wilderness’ – watercolour by William Anderson Cawthorne
from 1860
• Figure 12 – East Terrace shelterbelt plantations established by 1865
• Table 3 – List of species for use in ornamental shade trees and carriage drive, from 1880
• Table 4 – List of recommended ornamental trees to replace olive trees, from 1880
• Figure 13 – panoramic photograph of Adelaide taken from Town Hall tower, from 1865
• Figure 14 – Proposed Adelaide Park Lands plantings, from 1880
• Table 5 – List of recommended trees to be planted inside the Race Course, from 1880
• Figure 15 – Photograph of the inaugural Arbor Day planting activity, from 1889
• Figure 16 – Aerial photograph of southern portion of Bakkabakkandi/Park 16, from 1936
• Figures 17 and 18 – Two period photographs of social life at the Victoria Park Racecourse,
c.1900s
• Figures 19 and 20 – Photographs of gardens and horse racing at Victoria Park Racecourse,
c.1900s
• Figures 21 and 22 – Photographs of Victoria Park Racecourse, c.1900s
• Figures 23 and 24 – Photographs of Victoria Park Racecourse, c.1910
• Figure 25 – ‘Plan of Improved Drainage’ for Bakkabakkandi/Park 16, from 1918
• Figure 26 – ‘Plan of Improvement Pavements’, from 1927
• Figure 27 – 1936 aerial photograph of Victoria Park track circuits and vegetation plantings
• Figure 28 – ‘Lease Plan’ of Victoria Park Racecourse, from 1959
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Assessment 82
• Figure 29 – plan for a freeway ring-route around the City of Adelaide, from 1962
• Table 6 – Assessment of Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi Components
APPENDIX 3 – BIODIVERSITY
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•
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•
•
•
•
•
Figure 30 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Location of remnant vegetation areas
Figure 31 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Remnant vegetation detail area 1
Figure 32– Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Remnant vegetation detail area 2
Figure 33 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Remnant vegetation southern end
Table 7 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Remnant vegetation management
Table 8 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Remnant vegetation condition
Figure 34 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – remnant vegetation mapping (southern end)
Figure 35 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – remnant vegetation locations (southern end)
Table 9 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – remnant vegetation numbers per location
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
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3
Introduction
Adelaide City Council is required to prepare management plans for
community land pursuant to section 196 of the Local Government
Act 1999 and section 19 of the Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005. This
document also gives effect to Council’s Strategic Framework –
Visions, Outcomes and Strategic Directions 2008–09.
A management plan must state the purpose for which the land is held,
Council’s objectives, policies and proposals (including performance
targets and measurements), restrictions on public use and specific
information on the granting of licences or leases over the land.
As a precursor to the development of this Community Land
Management Plan (CLMP), Council undertook both the preparation
of a Cultural Landscape Assessment and community consultation.
In doing so, Council has endeavoured to ensure that management
directions are based on a sound understanding of the cultural heritage
of the Park as well as community needs.
4
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
The Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005 requires that individual
management plans for community land are consistent with the
(yet to be prepared) Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy
(the Strategy). This CLMP will be reviewed once the Strategy has
been endorsed.
Part A – Management Statements,
Principles and Directions
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
5
PART A –
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
1.0
Statement of Significance
Contributory Role of Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi within the
context of the Adelaide Park Lands
At 72 hectares, Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi (Victoria Park)
is the largest intact segment of the Adelaide Park Lands and is
characterised by the presence of a large horse racing track with an
expansive internal open space affording important views both towards
the Hills and City.
Victoria Park has great importance to South Australian Aboriginal
history. In February 1980, members of the Pitjantjatjara,
Yankunytjatjara, and other Aboriginal Elders from the north-west
of the State converged here to confront the State Government and
protest for Aboriginal Land Rights. This stand was crucial in the long
battle for land rights in that it ultimately led to the passage of the
SA Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act 1981 and the establishment of the
freehold Aboriginal Lands in the north-west of the State (ACHM 2005).
The park retains its original shape and form as devised by Colonel
Light and its significance lies in its contribution as an integral segment
of Colonel Light’s overall Park Lands Plan.
2.0
The racecourse has state cultural significance as the site for South
Australia’s first formal horse racing venue, which enjoyed continued
use from the 1840s until the end of 2007.
Use of the area as a horse racing venue gradually declined during the
1980s and 90s and since 1985 the park has been dominated more so
by motor sport.
The domination by horse racing, and more latterly by car racing,
has led to a sense of public alienation. However despite this, the
park is popular for walking, jogging, dog exercising and mixed use
recreation and sport. It is also used regularly by two major schools
for junior soccer and cricket. The schools each maintain three ovals
at the southern end of the inside track area, held under an annual
sporting licence.
An area immediately south of the creek is of national significance
as the site of the inaugural Arbor Day Plantings in 1889 and revived
Arbor Day plantings in the late 1980s.
The Olive Grove in the north western corner of the park was planted
progressively from 1872 and forms an integral part of Adelaide’s
unique Olive Heritage.
Dual naming
The park’s additional Kaurna name of Bakkabakkandi was endorsed
by Council in 2003 and means ‘to trot: a term applied to horses’.
Aboriginal Significance
Verbal history held by surviving members of the Kaurna community
indicates that the area was used for camping and corroborees and
6
that the north-west corner of the park was the site of a native police
camp watching Aboriginal camps/meetings in the 19th century
(ACHM 2005).
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
Victoria Park in 2008
The Park is currently characterised by the presence of:
• Racecourse grounds, which in turn are characterised by the
presence of
» a Victorian era Grandstand which is a State Heritage Place;
» a collection of generally uninspiring and dilapidated 1950s style
buildings;
» an imposing red brick wall fronting Fullarton Road;
» a collection of significant, mature exotic trees, in particular a
magnificent specimen of a Dragon Tree;
• Horse Race track;
• Car Race Track;
• Large central open area with a few scattered mature remnant
Eucalypts;
• Park Lands Creek in the south–eastern corner;
• Historically significant Olive Groves;
• Mature Eucalyptus perimeter plantings; and
• Semi–natural area between Creek and Greenhill Road containing
significant remnant native plants.
The appearance of the park as a flat, low lying area gives no indication
that topographically the south-east corner of the Park (at 56m) sits
higher than the highest point in North Adelaide (50m).
Victoria Park today, with the demise of horse racing (which has
dominated the design and use of the park for over 160 years) faces
the challenge of being completely re-created as a truly public space
worthy of its status as a great inner city park.
N
Olive Groves
(from 1872)
Wakefield Road
Existing
Racecourse
Grounds
East Terrace
Botanic
Creek
Fullarton Road
PAC Annual
Sporting
Licence
Clipsal Event
Parking
Clipsal Event
Parking
CBC Annual
Sporting
Licence
Approximate
locations of
significant
remnant plants
Glenelg
Water
Reservoir
dating
from 1880
Poplars planted
1953
Elm
Carriageway
dating from
late 1870s
South Park
Lands Creek
Old alignment of
Beaumont Road
Greenhill Road
1889 Arbor Day
Plantings
Semi – natural area
Figure 1 – Existing
features map for Victoria
Park / Bakkabakkandi
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
7
Motor Sport in Victoria Park occurs under the powers provided to the
South Australian Motor Sport Board (SAMSB) by the South Australian
Motor Sport Act 1984 (SAMS Act).
works period’ and outside of a ‘declared period’. That is, access is
not limited to a ‘declared period’ or ‘prescribed works period’. In other
words, the SAMSB can have access to a ‘declared area’ at any time
and undertake work at any time, but only in the course of performing
its functions.
Event set up, pull down and restrictions on public access
New infrastructure allowing the construction of improved modernised
temporary race facilities will be installed within the Park during
2008/2009. Typically, construction for the event will commence in mid
December and conclude in mid May each year. During this period
public access will gradually be restricted to certain areas within the
park as more and more infrastructure and fencing is constructed.
Bitumen car track
The SAMSB has the power to construct a car track and there is no
specific power within the Act which enables Council to remove it. The
track does not enjoy any specific tenure as such but it is constructed
lawfully under the provisions of the Act and it would be contrary to the
intended flexibility within the Act for Council to be able to remove it
without the agreement of the SAMSB.
The actual event period is restricted to five days by legislation and
normally occurs in mid-March each year. During this period public
access is restricted to all but the very southern end of the park.
2.2
2.1
Motor Sport in Victoria Park – infrastructure, access and
occupation
Permanent infrastructure
The SAMS Act provides the SAMSB with the power (in the course of
performing its functions) to install permanent infrastructure on land
comprising a ‘declared area’ (a specified area consisting of road and/
or park land for the purposes of an event) at any time. Section 10
(2) (b) of the Act, which provides the SAMSB with this power, is not
limited to temporary structures.
Occupation of land
The SAMSB does not however have a general power to occupy
land. However during a ‘declared period’ (a specified event period
not exceeding five days) the SAMSB may fence off and take the
care, control and management of land comprising a ‘declared area’,
during which Council’s rights and interests in relation to that land are
suspended.
SAMSB access to land
The SAMSB may also have access to land comprising a ‘declared
area’ for a motor sport event at any time outside of a ‘declared period’
and further may carry out works and do any other things on that land
provided that they are reasonably necessary for or incidental to the
performance of its functions.
The SAMSB has free and unrestricted access to land comprising a
‘declared area’ during a ‘prescribed works period’ (specified period/
periods during which the SAMSB may have access to land within a
declared area for the purpose of carrying out works). However the
SAMSB may also have access to that land outside of a ‘prescribed
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Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
Relevant recent changes
The Lease between the SAJC and Adelaide City Council expired 31
August 2004. Since that time a ‘holding over’ arrangement has been
in place on a monthly basis.
Given the poor conditions of the buildings, a number of unsuccessful
attempts have been made over the years to facilitate an upgrade of
the buildings to allow a longer term leasing arrangement with the
SAJC.
In December 2006 the State Government proposed a Master Plan for
the park based around the construction of a permanent, 200m long,
three stories high building centrally located between a re-designed
horse track on the western side of the park and a relocated car track
on the eastern side of the park.
The new multi-purpose building was to serve as both a modern horse
racing facility and, for the duration of the car racing, as a combined
corporate, pits and technical facility. The key to the proposal was the
separation of the horse and car tracks to allow extended use of the
horse track during the set up time for the car race (which would also
be reduced due to the permanent structure being in place).
Two requirements had to be satisfied for the proposal to proceed,
namely the provision of planning consent and a site lease to the
State Government. However, although the Development Assessment
Commission provided planning consent for the development, Council
eventually declined to enter into a lease due to overwhelming public
opposition to a draft lease proposal issued for public consultation
(specifically the construction of a permanent building of the scale
proposed).
Following the State Government’s withdrawal of its redevelopment
proposal, the, SAJC initially advised of plans to undertake a
redevelopment of the existing buildings including an extension to
the existing Members Stand. However the SAJC formally advised
Adelaide City Council on 31 March 2008 that it would no longer
be conducting horse racing at this venue and that they wished to
terminate the current lease arrangement by providing the required one
month notice. This decision precipitated ongoing discussions as to
responsibilities for an exit strategy.
3.0
P3
» Minimise fenced or ‘restricted’ areas
P4
Vision and Guiding Principles for Managing Victoria Park
Vision
‘Create a vibrant, flexible and sustainable recreational open space
within the iconic Adelaide Park Lands to serve all South Australians,
supporting a variety of community activities whilst preserving the
unique landscape and heritage qualities of the place.’
» Create a welcoming environment through safely designed
facilities
P5
Create a flexible design that permits a range of activities
» Explore improvements to formal recreation opportunities
including the provision of a sealed surface ‘loop’ to support
cycle racing (criterium events) and pedal prix events and
expansion of existing sports fields with consideration of
supportive infrastructure (e.g. change rooms, toilets and
shade)
P6
Provide choices for the community
» Create improved opportunities for casual/informal recreation
with supportive elements (e.g. shade, toilets, seating and
kiosks) and in particular consider the needs of people
exercising dogs
In the resulting re-design of the park, both the natural assets of
the park and the formal and informal recreational facilities will be
enhanced, providing for a far more diverse visitor experience.
Guiding Principles
On 11 March 2008 Council endorsed the following set of ten Guiding
Principles for the development of a Master Plan for Victoria Park,
intended to form part of this Management Plan.
P1
P2
Ensure best practice in facility provision
» Allow for the requirements of the South Australian Motor
Sports Board that are imperative to staging sanctioned motor
racing events
» Ensure facilities are multi-use and incorporate Ecologically
Sustainable Development principles
Except for the Victorian Heritage Listed Grandstand and some minor
contributory features, all horse racing infrastructure will be removed.
However the cultural significance of the site as the first and longest
serving racecourse will be recognised and interpreted.
The open, expansive nature of the park, made necessary by the
presence of the horse track, will be retained together with the
associated vistas across the park to the hills and City.
Remove redundant buildings and structures
» Remove redundant buildings and structures whilst considering
opportunities to incorporate elements that have been identified
as having heritage value
» Provide lighting to support extended hours of use for
community recreation and sport
» Develop landscape themes to foster a range of experiences
(e.g. urban forests and open plains)
Consider the design within the context of the City
» Provide connectivity to adjacent parks via natural features
Connect spaces and encourage movement throughout
the Park
» Provide greater access to facilities and support active
movement within the Park for pedestrians and cyclists
» Link pedestrian/cycle networks
» Build in public transport connections
» Consider the Park as a whole
» Draw links to car parking facilities in the City and maximise
adjacent areas for car parking to support events and regular
sporting activities (e.g. Beaumont Rd)
Rejuvenate the Heritage Listed Grandstand
» Find renewed uses for the restored Grandstand including the
provision of recreation and sport facilities
» Provide a complementary setting for the Grandstand.
P7
P8
Improve the natural assets of the Park
» Retain significant trees
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
9
» Strengthen perimeter plantings to define the Park from
surrounding built form
» Woodland Recreation;
» Protect and enhance remnant native vegetation sites
» Heritage Listed Grandstand and Premium Field; and
» Enhance existing creeks
» Incorporate sustainable landscape features
P9
Ensure sustainable and efficient water use
» Incorporate the Glenelg to Adelaide pipeline water reuse
scheme
» Provide for an Aquifer Storage and Recovery scheme including
a wetland with associated recreation amenities
» Implement water sensitive urban design throughout the Park
P10 Create a strong identity
» Reflect the City’s characteristic of open parklands by retaining
vistas across the Park and to the City and Hills
» Maximise the open character of the Park with infrastructure to
support community based sporting activities
» Interpret the history and environmental qualities of the Park
» Special Events.
• Remove all built structures from the north east corner of the Park
except for the:
» Victorian Heritage Listed Grandstand;
» timber clad ticket booth and kiosk;
» wrought iron main entrance gates; and
» the Bookmakers League building and adjoining Grandstand
Entrance façade;
• Provide a formal, complementary setting adjacent to the Victorian
Heritage Listed Grandstand in the form of a community plaza.
• Provide an open flexible playing field between the Victorian Heritage
Listed Grandstand and the eastern arm of the car track to facilitate
an ongoing use of the Grandstand – must be as close to the
Grandstand as possible.
Other key documents that have contributed to subsequent
management directions include:
• Create a number of formal entrances to the Park, particularly in the
vicinity of the Victorian Heritage Listed Grandstand, Fullarton Road/
Greenhill Road intersection, Halifax Street and Wakefield Road.
• Cultural Landscape Assessment (Jones 2007) Appendix 2;
• Provide a large open expanse of playing fields in the centre of the
park, south of the Halifax Street/Fullarton Road connector.
• Victoria Park Grandstand Conservation Plan (Phillips/Pilkington
Architects 2000); and
• Overview Heritage Assessment (Danvers Architects 2002).
4.0
Management Directions for Victoria Park
In keeping with the above Guiding Principles established by
Council, along with referenced documents and feedback from
both key stakeholders and the general public, the following specific
management directions are provided:
4.1
Landscape Character – general
• Implement the Victoria Park Master Plan in accordance with
Appendix 1 in this document
• Consider the park as a contributory segment of the Adelaide Park
Lands system;
• Retain the open character along with the existing views into and
across the Park;
• Reinforce the four precincts as described in the Master Plan,
namely:
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» Community Recreation and Sport;
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
• The southern end of the park – the area south of and including the
creek line and wetland should be a predominantly semi-natural
area.
• Layback and restore creek through revegetation with locally
indigenous riparian species.
• Create a wetland at the southern end of the Park in association with
an enhanced creek line. This wetland should be designed to:
» provide ecological, educational and recreational benefits;
» be consistent with the Brown Hill and Keswick Creeks Flood
Management Masterplan;
» include an interpretive display under shelter; and
» include Aquifer Storage and Recovery if possible.
• Incorporate public art into the Park where appropriate.
• Ongoing watering should be restricted to the following areas:
» playing fields;
» East Terrace and Wakefield Road frontages;
described in the Victoria Park Grandstand Conservation Plan as
an “important piece of 20th Century design by architects Pointer
and Glover” which provides a “finely proportioned and detailed
entrance statement addressing Fullarton Road”;
» formal setting associated with the Victorian Heritage Listed
Grandstand in the north-eastern corner of the Park; and
» heavily used areas associated with the Car Race Track and
facilities.
• Ongoing watering should be via the most efficient irrigation
methods available and should use water supplied from the Glenelg
Waste Water Re-use scheme, which should be regularly monitored
for acceptable levels of salinity.
4.2
Landscape Character – plantings
• Additional, scattered tree planting can occur within the existing
central open space (special events precinct) area (without
compromising the existing open character and vistas to the hills and
City and retaining the flexibility of an open area for the programming
of activity).
• Extend the existing perimeter woodland plantings into the central
sporting (community recreation and sport precinct) area to provide
shade (without compromising the existing open character and
vistas to the hills and City and retaining the flexibility of an open area
for the programming of activity).
• Strengthen the perimeter plantings with River Red Gums
(Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and other suitable indigenous species,
with additional strengthening emphasis along the Fullarton Road
and Wakefield Road edges.
• Create avenue plantings where appropriate particularly along the
Halifax Street/Fullarton Road pathways.
Additionally these complement the wrought iron entrance
gates, providing a unified composition of former horse racing
infrastructure, highly suited to adaptive reuse and interpretation
of the site’s racing heritage;
This group of elements, together with the Heritage Listed
Grandstand, also provide a strong and rich identity for the park.
• Apart from the Victorian Heritage Listed Grandstand, the retention
of the other structures should be subject to justifiable restoration
costs and viable, compatible uses being found.
• Remove the Horse Racing Track fence.
• Remove the large colour-bond shed inside the race track (at the
northern end) currently used by Prince Alfred College.
• Remove and replace existing toilets with attractive public facilities
designed in accordance with Council’s Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design Policy, situated in the following locations
» eastern side of playing fields (adjacent to or as part of the sports
changerooms);
» western side of playing fields (adjacent to or as part of the sports
changerooms);
» within the Heritage Grandstand; and
» at the southern end of the Park in association with the wetland,
interpretive facility and kiosk.
• Where appropriate, retain the exotic feature plantings within the old
racecourse grounds, in particular the Dragon’s Blood Tree (Dracena
draco).
• Provide two sports changerooms, one on either side of the central
ovals.
• Retain the Brachychiton sp. planted along Fullarton Road – though
these are outside of the Park (and thus City) boundary necessitating
liaison with Burnside City Council.
• Provide a number of shelters around the park (especially between
the playing fields) for use by sporting participants, spectators and
casual recreational use
• Recognise and interpret the 1889 Arbor Day plantings south of the
creek.
4.3
» These shelters must be well designed, aesthetically pleasing
and demountable/relocatable to suit multiple user and seasonal
requirement configurations.
Built Form
• Restrain built form to the presence of:
» The Victorian Heritage Listed Grandstand and associated,
complementary structures, i.e. the Ticket Booth, Kiosk and
wrought iron Entrance Gates;
» Investigate the retention of the Bookmakers League building
and the adjoining Grandstand Entrance Façade which are
4.4
Heritage
• Continue the restoration of the Victorian Heritage Listed Grandstand
and provide a formal, complementary setting, one that is most likely
to facilitate its long term use as a grandstand, thereby guaranteeing
its future maintenance and care.
• Recognise and creatively interpret the heritage significance of the:
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
11
» former racing use, including the Heritage Listed Grandstand and
associated retained natural and built features;
• Include a Kaurna Heritage/Bush Tucker Trail in the semi-natural area at
the southern end of the Park.
» the past location of the race track;
» 1889 Arbor Day plantings; and
• A comprehensive and integrated interpretation plan for the Park
should be developed prior to implementation of the Master Plan.
» Olive groves in the north–western corner.
4.5
• The significance of the site to the Kaurna community should also be
appropriately recognised, as determined by that community.
Figure 2 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Buildings for retention
12
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
Biodiversity
• The area contains a diversity of remnant native vegetation, including
species of State conservation significance (Stipa gibbosa), species
that are rare on the Adelaide Plains (Wurmbea dioica and Hypoxis
glabella) and those that are rare in the Park Lands (Wurmbea dioica,
Calostemma purpureum and Hypoxis glabella).
• The remnant native plants found within the park must be conserved
and managed.
• At present these plants are located amongst and adjacent to playing
fields. The proposed expansion of these fields will possibly impact
upon their management through turf grass invasion, over-watering
and changes in adjacent soil levels leading to changed micro-climatic
conditions.
• If these plants cannot be managed in their current location,
consideration should be given to re-locating them further south to the
semi-natural area of the park. Every effort shall be made to maintain
these plants in their present location.
• Appropriate professional advice should be sought and implemented
regarding the conservation and management of the native flora and
fauna.
• Provide interpretive information to encourage understanding and
appreciation of the park’s remnant native vegetation.
• See Section 13 for interim management actions.
4.6
Events
• The Park is highly suitable for a range of community based
recreation and sporting activities.
• Support the staging of mass participation community sporting
activities such as the Masters Games, Police and Fire Games,
Golden Oldies and University Games.
• The Victorian Grandstand setting, with the open space in front of
it and the proposed new adjoining community plaza, is a suitable
venue for a range of community oriented events such as:
»» Sports, in particular cycling and pedal prix;
»» School sporting carnivals;
»» One–off special sporting events eg State Amateur sporting finals
in baseball, cricket, basketball, volleyball, frisbee etc;
»» Small concerts;
»» Cinema in the Park;
»» Garden Festivals;
»» Cultural Festivals; and
»» Other compatible community uses.
• Any use must recognise the ongoing use of the park for motor
sport, in particular the presence of the car track, associated
infrastructure and the required set up and pull down periods for
the event.
• Any use must also recognise the close proximity and need to
minimise disturbance to the neighbouring residential areas,
especially the most densely populated areas west of the park.
However, occasional one-off major events should be considered by
Council on merit.
4.7
Other uses/facilities
• The park should provide for a culturally diverse range of activities
and gathering places, including the southern, semi-natural area.
• Identify opportunities for utilising the internal lower section of the
Heritage Listed Grandstand (including kitchen/catering facilities)
to support the Park’s purpose, including community sporting and
recreation use.
• Provide a multi-purpose cycling, running track that passes close
to the front of the heritage listed grandstand (which may extend to
also use a portion(s) of the existing car track). This track must meet
the needs of the specific cycling and pedal prix communities and is
desirable to be 1.25 km in length and 10m wide.
• Retain a large open grassed area directly in front of the Heritage
Listed Grandstand for the use of a range of organised community
sports and informal recreation. This should be maintained to a high
quality to be used as a premium surface.
• The existing Annual Sporting Licences for certain playing fields
within the Park (Prince Alfred College, Christian Brothers College
and the Southern Soaring League) should be continued.
• The term of these licences may be extended to three or five years if
this use is compatible with the long term management directions for
the Park.
• Rationalise and possibly re-locate (within the Park) some of the
existing licensed sporting fields to provide a much larger space for
the programming of activities/events by Adelaide City Council.
• Both renewals of existing sporting licences/leases and new
applications for additional sporting licences/leases should be
assessed on merit and whether they are compatible with broader
management objectives for the Park.
• A specific management model that considers the tenure,
maintenance and programming of the Park’s facilities should
be developed to ensure effective management of this important
community resource.
• Permit lighting for playing fields but avoid light spill onto residential
areas.
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
13
• Provision of facilities for equestrian activities such as jumping,
dressage, cross country and polo should be considered, as part of the
multi-purpose facilities.
• Create an informal, nature based, contemporary adventure
playground at the southern end of the park to complement the seminatural character of the area; including such facilities as:
»» A flying fox;
»» Alternatively designed swings;
»» Small scale climbing structures;
»» Overwater decking; and
»» Logs and boulders.
• Create a more conventional playspace within or adjacent to the
Community Plaza.
• Extend and upgrade the current ‘sweat track’ facility to include
‘stations’ around the entire permitter of the park.
• The presence of a small café/kiosk would enliven the area,
ideally associated with the Victorian Grandstand or a refurbished
Bookmakers League building, which has the added benefit of
‘street frontage’.
• Investigate the provision of a small kiosk to service the picnic and
wetland area at the southern end of the Park.
• Investigate the provision of a new Petanque piste facility adjacent to
the Victorian Grandstand and/or retain the existing facility off East
Terrace.
• Refer to master plan for details of proposed community facilities
and space.
4.8 Access/Paths
• Reconsider and improve connections without the constraints of the
horse track.
• Create a number of formal entrances to the Park, particularly in the
vicinity of the Victorian Grandstand, Fullarton Road/Greenhill Road
intersection, Halifax Street and Wakefield Road.
• Provide a network of shared use paths which facilitates access
across and to all areas of the Park.
• Heavily used areas and paths should be well lit.
• Retain the east-west Halifax Street connector.
• A perimeter path should be provided.
• The wetland should be well connected and include a boardwalk
across/or decking out into this feature.
14
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
• The Adelaide Park Lands Trail should continue to travel through the
Park on the eastern side as it currently does, linking with adjacent
parks.
• A 4km long soft surface running/walking track should be included
which links up with the historic Elm Avenue in adjacent Tuttangga
(Park 17).
• A 2km cross country circuit should also be identified. This need
only be identified through markers and does not require a dedicated
track.
• Refer to master plan for details of proposed path networks.
4.9 Car Parking
• Parking should be provided for three levels of use:
»» Casual Park Use
■■ on surrounding roads only – with parking restrictions to deter
commuter parking and facilitate short term community use of
the park;
»» Medium sized sporting or community activities
■■ using supplementary/overflow parking ‘on park’ adjacent
Fullarton Road - using permeable surfaces; and
»» Large Scale events
■■ Inside park on grass or track surface as required.
• Any parking on grassed areas should be subject to suitable ground
conditions.
• Encourage the SA Motor Sport Board to move the Clipsal 500 event
parking currently amongst the trees at the end of Angas Street
further into the park on an open grassed area.
• Formalise and rationalise the parking on Beaumont Road through an
upgrade and delineation of parking bays to maximise available space
and utilising permeable surfaces where possible.
»» In doing so the extent of hard surface can be reduced by
extending the re-landscaped central section that currently divides
Beaumont Road.
• In conjunction with Burnside City Council, create a formal kerb
along Greenhill Road, remove the fencing, formalise the parking and
create a pedestrian pathway.
4.10 Dog Off-Leash Area
• Short Term
The current off-leash area is defined by the horse track fencing.
When this is removed, and until the Community Plaza and wetlands
are constructed, the dog off-leash area should be defined as the
whole park, excluding the area south of the existing creek line
(excepting when sporting activities or events are being held within
the Park).
• Long Term
Redefine the current dog off-leash area to include the whole of the
park except for the Community Plaza and the area south of (and
including) the wetlands (except when sporting activities or events
are being held within the Park).
4.11 Lighting
• The following areas should be lit:
» Premium Playing Field;
» Halifax Street – Fullarton Road Pathway;
» Community Plaza; and
» The remaining playing fields as required in the future.
5.0 Master Plan Overview
The Master Plan (Appendix 1 to this CLMP) has been developed using
the above Guiding Principles and Management Directions as well as
the Cultural landscape Assessment for this Park (Appendix 2 to this
CLMP).
Introduction/Context
The Park lends itself to a range of community activities due to its
accessible open space, proximity to the CBD, availability of parking,
facilities, size and picturesque location.
Current uses include:
• School sports
• Football, soccer and cross country carnivals
• Pedal Prix
• Prologue event for the Classic Adelaide Car Rally
• Clipsal
• Model plane flying
• Horse Trials
• Community recreation activities such as use of the exercise trail,
dog walking and running.
Consultation with key stakeholders was undertaken to explore
the possible future of Victoria Park within the context of the South
Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) vacating the site. The draft Master Plan
is informed by the consultation findings and looks to build on and
reinforce the existing site features and functions to encourage greater
and more diverse use of the park for community based activities.
Whilst the park may be used for mass participation events such as
SAPSASA sporting carnivals, Pedal Prix, Masters Games or University
Games, it is equally important to ensure access to the park for a
variety of everyday individual recreation pursuits.
Landscape character
The open space character and long vistas to the Adelaide foothills
provide identity to Victoria Park within the context of the Adelaide Park
Lands. The edges of the park are reinforced by extensive plantings
of River Red Gums (E. camaldulensis) and Blue Gums (E. leucoxylon)
which assist in enclosing and defining the Park.
Built Form
The majority of built structures in Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi are
old and dilapidated and do not contribute to the many active uses
of the park by the community and licence holders. The result of the
SAJC leaving the site will be that many of the buildings and fencing
dominating the north-eastern corner of the site will be redundant and
ultimately removed allowing new possibilities and uses for the site.
Removal of this redundant infrastructure will greatly improve public
access to the Park.
Vision
The draft Master Plan has been developed in line with a set of Council
endorsed guiding principles. In addition, the project team propose the
following vision for the improvement of Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi.
‘To create a vibrant, flexible and sustainable recreational open
space within the iconic Adelaide Park Lands, supporting a variety
of community activities whilst preserving the unique landscape
and heritage qualities of the site.’
Design Themes
Community use of Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi for a wide variety
of recreation activities drives the Master Plan. Multiuse recreation
amenities support a range of users including school sports, sporting
clubs, individuals and mass participation sporting and recreation
activities.
Existing landscape qualities such as the sense of open space and
vistas to the hills are retained, whilst planting of the park edges
is substantially reinforced. New trees and understorey build on
the existing ecology of the site to achieve a rich biodiversity that
is educative, attractive and sustainable. Improvements are made
to the site’s biodiversity, with the wooded urban forest character
strengthened. Stormwater is retained within a wetland in the south,
offering opportunities for discovery, interpretation, revegetation and
education whilst linking walking trails to the wider Park path network.
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
15
An additional layer of exploration and adventure is established through
experiences of the urban wilderness, nature trails, boardwalks and
cultural gathering spaces.
Park Precincts
The draft Master Plan considers the site in four precincts.
• Precinct 1 (Woodland Recreation) reinforces connections with
adjacent Park Lands and provides a strong site identity particularly
along Fullarton and Wakefield Roads.
• Precinct 2 (Community Recreation and Sport) is a flexible recreation
and sporting precinct which is designed to foster a variety of
community based activities.
• Precinct 3 (Heritage Listed Grandstand and Premium Field)
incorporates an informal plaza, gathering space and entrance
axis along with securing a future for the heritage listed grandstand.
• Precinct 4 (Special Events) looks to take advantage of the existing
Clipsal infrastructure for a broader range of community uses year
round.
These improvements will contribute towards a revitalised Victoria
Park as one of the Adelaide Park Lands best used venues for
community Park Land recreation activities, building onto existing
uses and introducing new ones. At the same time, the biodiversity
and ecological value of the park will be increased by new plantings
and adoption of contemporary park management techniques that
support water conservation and ecological sustainability. Realisation
of the Master Plan will also contribute to the blueprint for responsible
management of the wider Adelaide Park Lands that realises their
world class value.
6.0 Implementation
The Master Plan should be implemented progressively in the following
packages, with packages 1 to 4 receiving priority.
Package 1
• Removal of agreed buildings, structures and site remediation
• Selected pathways
• Majority of trees
Package 2
• Sportsfields and premium playing field (including toilets and
changerooms)
Package 3
• Recreation facilities – including playgrounds and extended
sweat track
16
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
Package 4
• Community Plaza
Package 5
• Wetland and educational/interpretational facilities
Package 6
• Grandstand understorey adaptive re-use
Note all packages include an integrated public art and interpretation component.
Council has set aside the following amounts for the implementation of
the Master Plan:
• $1.1m in its current (08/09) Business Plan & Budget;
• $1.5m in its Long Term Financial Plan for the 09/10 financial year;
• $0.3m in its Long Term Financial Plan for the 10/11 financial year;
and
• $0.3m in its Long Term Financial Plan for the 11/12 financial year.
In addition, Council has also allocated $250k to be spent on the
ongoing refurbishment of the Victorian Heritage Listed Grandstand for
the current (08/09) financial year and in its Long Term Financial Plan
for the following two years (09/10 and 10/11).
It should be noted that significant additional funding beyond this
current commitment will still be required to bring the Victorian
Heritage Listed Grandstand to a useable standard in order to permit
public use and access.
Performance Targets
• A more versatile, accessible and attractive park setting primarily
aimed at meeting the needs of casual park users and regular
sporting and recreational users.
• A safe park.
• Biodiversity levels are improved.
• Heritage is recognised and interpreted.
• The park design and maintenance requirements and levels are
environmentally sustainable.
Performance Measurements
Performance will be measured against feedback from the:
• Adelaide Park Lands Authority; and
• Community in general through Council’s established City Users
Surveys.
Part B – Background
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17
17
PART B - BACKGROUND
7.0
Overview of Historical Changes to the Park
Prior to white settlement the area would have been a large flat
expanse of Grey Box and SA Blue Gum Woodland.
Horse racing in what is now Victoria Park began soon after
settlement. The first races however took place near what is now
Thebarton. While no race track is shown on Colonel Lights’ survey
map of 1837, a map drawn in 1839 by John Arrowsmith does show a
rudimentary course for what came to be known as the ‘Old Course’.
Council first sanctioned the use of the park for horse racing in 1855
but recognised that it had no power to consent to the erection of a
permanent grandstand.
The first lease for horse racing in Victoria Park was issued in 1864 and
covered the vast majority of the park. Subsequent leases excluded
the centre of the track and also outlying areas, ie only the track and
racecourse grounds in the north-eastern corner were leased.
From the 1850s through to the late 1870s Victoria Park was also used
(in addition to horse racing) for light grazing and firewood collection.
It was not fenced until the late 1880s and by this time most of the
indigenous vegetation had been effectively removed (Jones,2007).
The first olive trees were planted in the north-western corner of the
park in 1872.
Sometime in the 1880s the park number ‘16’ began to be used for the
park and appears on maps drawn in the 1890s. The numbering system
was based on the section numbers, which for Victoria Park is S6016.
In 1897 the ‘Old Course’ was re-named Victoria Park Racecourse
by Council as part of Adelaide’s Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee
celebrations.
The White Poplar grove situated between the race track and the creek
was planted in 1953 in an attempt to improve a low lying swampy area.
Originally, Beaumont Road, from the corner of South Terrace and
East Terrace, followed the curve of the racecourse in the southwestern corner of the park and intersected the corner of Greenhill
and Fullarton Roads. A re-alignment in 1963 resulted in its current
alignment. Following this re-alignment the southern end of the park,
beyond the old Beaumont Road (which was previously part of what
was then known simply as Park 17, became known as 16A.
18
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
Figure 3 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Early representation of Race Course
The earliest known representation of the Victoria Park Racecourse, shown on a map by
John Arrowsmith drawn in 1839.
Wakefield Road
Wakefield Road
N
N
au
nt
Ro
ad
B e au
mo
Fullarton Road
Fullarton Road
Be
mon
t Roa
d
Greenhill Road
Greenhill Road
Figure 4 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Comparison of
historic and current aerial maps
The aerial photograph on the left is from 1936 the right
from 2007.
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
19
8.0
Tenure and Management Framework
Management Area
Tenure
Lease/Licence Details
Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi is bounded by Fullarton Road, Greenhill Road, Beaumont Road, East
Terrace and Wakefield Road
Title reference
Parcel reference
Land Owner
Custodian
Comment
CR5707/712
S6016
Crown in the right
of the State
The Corporation of
the City of Adelaide
Main parcel
CR5766/799
S1199
Crown in the right
of the State
The Corporation of
the City of Adelaide
Old Beaumont Road
corridor
CR5766/801
S6030
Crown in the right
of the State
The Corporation of
the City of Adelaide
Closed portion of
current Beaumont
Road (Greenhill Road
end)
CR5766/800
S6029
Crown in the right
of the State
The Corporation of
the City of Adelaide
Closed central portion
of current Beaumont
Road
South Australian Jockey Club lease expired on 31 August 2004. A monthly ‘Holding Over’ arrangement in
place until 31 April 2008. Currently an ‘exit strategy’ is being negotiated.
Prince Alfred College currently holds an Annual Sporting Licence for three soccer/cricket ovals.
Christian Brothers College currently holds an Annual Sporting Licence for a 1.8 hectare oval.
The Southern Soaring League holds a licence to fly model aeroplanes in the centre of the Park.
Buildings
Tenure
Owner/licence holder
Description
Expired Leased
Victoria Park Racecourse Complex
Expired Leased
At the completion of the SAJC obligations
under the former indenture, the ownership
of any improvements pass to Council
Victorian Grandstand – State
heritage Place
N/A
Council
Toilets – northern end
N/A
Council
Toilets – southern end
Lease
Prince Alfred College
Sports Store Rooms, steel shed –
northern end
Purpose for which land is held
Adelaide City Council holds this land for the benefit of the community. Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
is managed in accordance with the Park Lands Management Strategy and this Management Plan for
informal and formal recreation and sporting use.
Native Title Status
The Kaurna People have submitted a Native Title Claim over various Crown Titles within the Adelaide
City Council. It has been recognised by the Federal Court of Australia that there is a case to answer.
The Kaurna Claim has only progressed to various hearings within the Courts. The claim is not ready
to progress to mediation at this stage. As a result of the Kaurna interest in the Park Lands, the Kaurna
people are consulted during the CLMP process.
Table 1 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Tenure and Management Framework
20
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
9.0
Details of Park Boundary
N
The eastern boundary of Victoria Park, which is also the City
boundary, aligns with the red brick wall fronting Fullarton Road. The
boundary then runs south along the back (western or park side) of the
car park adjacent Fullarton Road.
Further south, opposite Grant Avenue, an area of what appears to be
Park Lands protrudes eastwards towards Fullarton Road. From old
maps this appears to have been the site of an old car park. This area
falls within the jurisdiction of Burnside City Council and is maintained
by that Council.
Fullarton Road
At the southern end of the Park, the City (and park) boundary follows
the existing fenceline, with the car parking between the fence and
Greenhill Road being the responsibility of Burnside City Council
Figure 6 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Boundary detail, eastern
Eastern Boundary shown in red, area east of line falls outside of Park and City Boundary.
N
N
Fullarton Road
Fullarton Road
Greenhill Road
Figure 5 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Boundary detail, upper eastern
Upper Eastern Boundary of Park and City shown in red, follows brick wall and then
southwards along the back of the car park adjacent Fullarton Road.
Figure 7 – Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi – Boundary detail, southern
Lower Eastern and Southern Boundary of Park and City shown in red. Parking along
Greenhill Road occurs outside of City Boundary.
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
21
10.0 Legislative Requirements for Management Plans
Local Government Act 1999
196 – Management plans
(1) A council must prepare and adopt a management plan or
management plans for its community land if—
(a) the land falls within the ambit of section 194(1)(b) or (c); or
(b) the land is, or is to be, occupied under a lease or licence; or
(c) the land has been, or is to be, specifically modified or
adapted for the benefit or enjoyment of the community.
(1a) The Adelaide City Council must prepare and adopt a
management plan for the Adelaide Park Lands.
(2) A single management plan may apply to one or more separate
holdings of community land.
(3) A management plan must—
(a) identify the land to which it applies; and
(b) state the purpose for which the land is held by the council;
and
(c) state the council’s objectives, policies (if any) and proposals
for the management of the land; and
(d) state performance targets and how the council proposes
to measure its performance against its objectives and
performance targets; and
(e) in the case of the management plan for the Adelaide Park
Lands—
(i)
provide information on any arrangements or restrictions
on public use of any part of the park lands, or on
movement through the park lands; and
(ii) provide specific information on the council’s policies for
the granting of leases or licences over any part of the
park lands.
(4) If a management plan relates to land that is not in the council’s
ownership, the council must consult with the owner of the land at
an appropriate stage during the preparation of the plan and the
plan must—
(a) identify the owner of the land; and
(b) state the nature of any trust, dedication or restriction to which
the land is subject apart from this Act; and
(c) contain any provisions that the owner reasonably requires
and identify those provisions as provisions required by the
owner.
22
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
(5) A management plan—
(a) should (as far as practicable) be consistent with other
relevant official plans and policies about conservation,
development and use of the land; and
Example—
The management plan should be consistent with
strategic plans affecting development of land in the
relevant area and with statutory or other official policies
for protecting the State heritage, or for encouraging
recreational or sporting activities, or for fostering tourism.
(b) must contain any special provisions required under the
regulations.
Example—
The regulations may for example contain special
provisions relating to the management of the Adelaide
Park Lands for inclusion in the relevant management
plans.
(6) In the event of an inconsistency between the provisions of an
official plan or policy under another Act and the provisions of a
management plan under this Act, the provisions of the official
plan or policy prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.
(7) A council must have a management plan for community land in
its area (if required)—
(a) if the land was owned by the council or was under
the council’s care, control and management at the
commencement of this Part—within five years after the
commencement of this Part; or
(b) if the land is acquired or placed under the council’s care,
control and management after the commencement of this
Part—as soon as practicable after the requirement for the
plan arises.
(8) The Adelaide City Council must have a management plan under
this section for the Adelaide Park Lands within 2 years after the
adoption of the first Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy
under the Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005 unless the Governor, by
regulation, allows an extension of time.
(9) In this section—
Adelaide Park Lands means the Adelaide Park Lands under
the Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005, but does not include any land
constituting a road (or part of a road).
Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005
Division 2—Management plans
19—Adelaide City Council
(1) The Adelaide City Council must ensure that its management
plan for community land within the Adelaide Park Lands under
Chapter 11 of the Local Government Act 1999 is consistent with
the Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy.
• New Directions: Strategic Management Plan 2004-2007
(2) The Adelaide City Council must, before it releases its proposed
management plan, or a proposed amendment to its management
plan, for public consultation under the Local Government
Act 1999, consult on a draft of its proposal with—
• Public Convenience Policy
(a) the Minister; and
(b) the Authority; and
(c) any State authority or adjoining council that has a direct
interest in the matter; and
(d) to the extent that paragraph (c) does not apply—any
government department or agency, or any council, specified
by the Minister.
(3) The Adelaide City Council must undertake a comprehensive
review of its management plan for community land within the
Adelaide Park Lands at least once in every 5 years.
Other relevant legislation
• Development Act 1993 and Adelaide (City) Development Plan and
Park Lands PAR (yet to be approved by the Minister)
• Environment Protection Act 1993
• National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972
• Native Title Act 1994
• Native Vegetation Act 1991
• Natural Resources Management Act 2004
• On Street Parking Policy and Operating Guidelines
• Park Land Olive Management Plan
• Park Lands Signage Plan
• Public Art Policy – Watch this Space
• Public Communication and Consultation Policy
• Recreation and Sport Park Lands Facilities Policy
12.0 Adelaide (City) Development Plan – Relevant Excerpts
The Adelaide (City) Development Plan establishes the legislative
requirements for development in the City (including the Park Lands),
under the Development Act. Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi is in
Eastern Park Lands Policy Area 34.
This Policy Area also comprises Ityamaiitpinna (Park 15).
Desired Character
The desired character for the Policy Area is comprised of:
(a) formal and informal outdoor recreation activities with sporting
grounds set amongst dense woodland plantings of local native
species;
(b) Victoria Park being used for informal and formal recreation
within a large open sports field surrounded by the Victoria Park
Racecourse and remnant peripheral woodland planting; and
(c) Glover Playground retained in the south-western corner of
Park 15.
OBJECTIVE
Objective 1: Development that strengthens, achieves and is
consistent with the desired character for the Policy Area.
11.0 Relevant Council Policies
• Built Heritage Management Policy
• Children’s Play Spaces Policy
• Community Safety Strategy 2003-2007
• Companion Animal Policy
• Environment Policy
• Indigenous Consultation Protocol
• Integrated Movement Strategy
• Light-n Up City Recreation and Sport Plan
PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
Land Use, Built Form and the Public Environment
Development should strengthen, achieve and be consistent with the
desired character for the Policy Area.
Development may include the following:
(a) Informal Recreational Area;
(b) Formal Recreational Area;
(c) Victoria Park Racecourse contained within its existing site
boundaries;
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
23
(d) Special Events, within the area marked A as shown on Maps
Adel/52, 57 and 58, where they do not require the erection of
additional permanent structures; and
(e) Cafés where they:
(i)
are ancillary to the use of the Park Lands;
(ii) provide a range of goods and services for the users of
activities in the Park Lands, and where such goods and
services are otherwise not conveniently located;
(iii) do not increase the building footprint; and
(iv) do not become more visually prominent, but enhance
its setting.
Other than the State heritage listed Victoria Park Grandstand, the
replacement of existing buildings by well designed pavilions and
structures which are sensitively sited and complementary to the
park character and which do not result in an increase in total floor
area is desirable.
Existing sports grounds should be retained and enhanced by
additional perimeter woodland planting of local native species.
The Victoria Park Racecourse is the most significant element of the
Policy Area character. The open character of the park should be
retained and the peripheral woodland planting of local native species
should be maintained and reinforced.
Items of significant landscape interest include:
(a) a central row of Peppercorn trees and Eucalypts along the
tributary and Wakefield Road in Park 15;
(b) the Olive Grove between the tributary and East Terrace in Park
15;
(c) the dominant groups of Eucalypts at the northern, southern,
western and Fullarton Road edges of Park 16;
(d) the Olive Grove in the north western corner of Park 16;
(e) the avenues of trees along the cycle paths of Park 16;
(f) the Glover Playground; and
Buildings which become superfluous to racecourse functions and the
associated sports fields should be removed in order to reinforce the
open character of the park.
Additional permanent buildings should not be developed unless
enabling the removal of superfluous buildings.
Temporary stands and facilities are appropriate in association with
Special Events where they will not result in permanent damage to
the surfaces or character of the Park Lands. The setting up for the
event and the dismantling after the event should be done in
an expeditious manner.
The undergrounding of all utility services is encouraged to enhance
the open character of the Policy Area.
Planting Character and Landscape
The Policy Area contains a tributary of First Creek which runs into
Parks 13 and 14, and the Botanic Gardens. The banks of this creek
and its tributary in Park 15 should be re-graded to improve safety
and amenity and planted with local native species. The variation in
landform and Park Land feature provided by the creek should be
acknowledged in its planting character.
Management of stormwater should be achieved through the laying
back of creek banks and the introduction of swales and trash racks
where appropriate.
24
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi
(g) the remnant native vegetation to the area south of Victoria
Racecourse.
These trees should be retained to maintain the environmental
character of those parts of the Policy Area.
Car Parking and Access
In any development, it is desirable that the extent of car parking in the
Policy Area should be reduced.
Vehicular access associated with the racecourse function should be
retained with the principal entrance being off Wakefield Road.
Car parking on the inner racecourse track area should only be
permitted when races and special events are conducted at Victoria
Park Racecourse. Car parking should be limited to the area south
of the cycle track which extends in an easterly direction from Halifax
Street. Car parking should be permitted in the designated car parks
along the Fullarton Road frontage to the Policy Area.
STATE HERITAGE PLACE
Street No. Street Name Description of Place Certificate
of Title
13661 Fullarton Road Grandstand, Victoria Park Racecourse
5707/712
13.0 Topography, Water and Soils
Topographically the park is described in the Cultural Landscape
Assessment as a ‘bowl’ with low limestone rises around its perimeter.
There are two watercourses through the Park
• Park Lands Creek runs through the southern part of the Park from
east to west flowing into Tuttangga (Park17).
• Botanic Creek runs south to north along the western side of the
Park starting at the corner of Halifax Street and East Terrace. At
this point it is a drainage channel lined in stone. The creek flows
north and from the Angas Street/East Terrace corner has eroded
soil banks. Another drainage channel drains into the creek from
under Angas Street at this junction between Angas Street and East
Terrace.
Natural drainage lines also existed across the park from the vicinity
of Parkstone Avenue, Dulwich to Halifax Street and from Alexandra
Avenue towards Wakefield Road. Both of these have been diverted
underground with the latter now emerging under the car track near
the chicane
Soil type is heavy red brown clay to red brown clay.
Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park/Bakkabakkandi
25
9
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Community Land Management Plan for Victoria Park / Bakkabakkandi